What’s New?

What’s New?

September 2017

Same-Day ACH Debits: What This Change Means for You!

Starting September 15, 2017, withdrawals to your account will come out faster than before!

An upcoming change in the way payments are processed through the Federal Reserve will allow ALL payments and deposits in the United States to go through on the same day you pay them. This starts on September 15, 2017.

Same Day Automated Clearing House (ACH) Debits are useful for paying loan payments faster, but this also means any *ACH (electronic) transaction could post to your account immediately. Previously, it might have posted to your account in 2-3 days. The transaction could be deducted from your account the same day. To avoid overdraft or insufficient fund fees, please make sure the balance in your account is enough to pay any debits or withdrawals you have written or authorized.

For example, after September 15, 2017, when paying your utility bill with a check it could be converted to an electronic ACH payment by the electric company. Before, the check could have taken 2 business days to be deducted from your account; after September 15, 2017, the utility company could send the check to your account for payment on the same day it was received or delivered to the utility company.

3 Tips to be Prepared:
1. DON’T ASSUME FUNDS WILL CLEAR THE DAY AFTER PURCHASE: Habits can be hard to break. Get in the habit now of planning for funds to clear at the time you authorize the transaction.
2. CHECK YOUR SHARE DRAFT BALANCE: Keeping a low balance can have a negative impact in the event a same-day ACH debit overdraws your account and incurs a fee. Even with overdraft protection, keeping your account balance at a level that supports your spending is the best way to keep your account in the green.
3. ASK QUESTIONS AT PFFCU: We are here to help! Leading up to and after this change occurs, updates will be provided if necessary. And as always, please contact us by phone, email or stop into one of our branches to ask any questions you may have!

*ACH Transaction: Any transaction that required you to give your routing number and account number to a merchant to process an item. (Check converted to an electronic payment, credit card payment, utility bill, loan payments, etc.)

Winter 2016-2017

DuBois Office Lobby to Open on Saturdays!

Effective February 4, 2017, our DuBois Office will begin lobby hours on Saturdays. A loan officer will be available for all of your lending needs. The hours will be as follows:

Drive Thru: 8:30am – 12:00pm

Lobby: 9:00am – 12:00pm

New Clearfield Office Hours

Our Clearfield office now has full Credit Union services available including Cash & Night Deposit (located by the front entry door). Stop by and check out the newly renovated office at 214 N 2nd St in Clearfield, PA. Questions? Call 814-765-6315. Our new office hours will be as follows:

Monday: 9:00am – 4:30pm

Tuesday: 9:00am – 4:30pm

Wednesday: 9:00am – 4:30pm

Thursday: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Friday: 8:30am – 5:30pm

Important Information about your New VISA Platinum Chip Card

If you use a Bill Payer site to make your VISA payments please make sure you are using the correct account number and correct address. You will need to delete the old payee for the old card and create a new payee with your new card number and the new payment address of: VISA PO Box 672051, Dallas, TX 75267-2021. If you do not update your card information there will be a delay in receiving your payment.

Change in Check Order Charges

Priority First negotiated with Harland Clarke, our check printer, to lower shipping costs for our members’ check orders. If you have Direct Deposit to your PFFCU checking account or are a Senior Citizen and choose to order our Club* checks, your first box per year is free. If you order a second box of Club* checks your share draft (checking) account will be charged $2.37 for shipping.

If you call to reorder your checks through Harland Clarke’s automated system be sure to choose Standard Shipping to avoid costly tracking fees. Choosing Standard Shipping will save you money!

*Pricing varies for other styles of checks. Please contact any of our offices to determine what amount will be charged to your account.

Summer 2016

Welcome Members of Clearfield Stoneworkers FCU & New Branch Office in Clearfield

Please join us in welcoming the 1000+ members of Clearfield Stoneworkers FCU who voted to merge with Priority First FCU to have access to a greater selection of products and services. The merger was finalized June 23, 2016 and the Clearfield Stoneworkers FCU office located at 214 N. 2nd Street, Clearfield, PA will remain open and become one of Priority First FCU’s five branch locations. Currently this office will have limited hours and services. Hours of operation will be Monday: 9am to 5pm, Wednesday: 11am to 5pm, and Friday: 9am to 6pm. All products and services will be available at the Clearfield office except cash withdrawals. Home Equity loans will be available by appointment only. Also, the office does not have a drive thru or ATM at this time. We plan to renovate the Clearfield branch to incorporate a private loan office and teller line, which will enable us to offer cash and full-time service hours. We hope to have renovations completed within 3 months and apologize ahead of time for any inconvenience this may present.

We are also excited to introduce our new Clearfield branch employees who will be helping us develop and grow the new branch. Joey Bloom will be the new Branch Manager. Joey is a Clearfield native and she brings 27 years of banking experience to Priority First FCU. Anna Davis will be a familiar face for Clearfield Stoneworkers FCU members as she has agreed to remain on board as a Member Service Representative. Please join us in welcoming Joey and Anna to our credit union family!

NEW VISA Credit Chip Cards are coming in September!

If you currently have a VISA credit card with Priority First FCU you will be receiving a new VISA Platinum chip card in September.
What this means to you:

The Priority First FCU VISA credit card will now be a Platinum card which gives you more benefits.

An embedded chip adds another layer of protection and makes it easier to use when traveling outside of the United States.

Merchant terminals that accept chip-enabled cards will no longer require your card to be swiped. Chip-enabled Priority First FCU cards also have magnetic strips that will continue to work at merchants that do not have chip-enabled terminals.

Winter 2015-2016

New Mobile Banking App

Priority First creates a mobile banking app available for Apple or Android users! You can now access your online banking anywhere anytime on your smartphone or tablet. Some of the features on the app are: view your accounts, online bill pay, make a transfer, find our locations, mobile deposit and more!

Along with our mobile banking app we announced mobile deposit. It’s never been easier to deposit a check on the go! You can easily deposit checks directly to your Priority First accounts using your Apple or Android device. It’s so simple and convenient, we are going to miss you coming in to see us. If you already have our App for your Smart Phone, click on “Deposit” in the bottom right corner of the app to get started! Certain deposit restrictions apply. See our Mobile Terms and Conditions for more information.

New and Improved Online Banking!

We are upgrading our current online banking application to be able to offer new and exciting products. The first step of this process will be the rollout of the new online banking that will occur on Monday, November 2, 2015. At this time, detailed information will be included on our webpage to guide you through the set up process. All members currently using online banking will be required to go through the online enrollment process. All preexisting account transfers and bill payment information will be available under the new online banking. After all of the members are converted, we will begin the process to rollout mobile banking and remote deposit capture. Rollout dates will be posted on the website once determined.

Get Big Protection In A Tiny Chip: EMV

Priority First FCU has joined financial institutions all over the world in the switch to EMV Chip debit cards. These cards provide increased security on personal information during transactions to help prevent fraud. Coming November 2015, all current debit card users will receive a new Priority First FCU EMV debit card.

What is EMV?

EMV stands for “Europay, MasterCard and VISA,” and is a computer chip housed within our debit card that will authorize and validate transactions. EMV Chip Cards are easy and convenient to use but more importantly help to protect against counterfeit fraud due to lost and stolen cards. When the new cards are distributed your card number and PIN will remain the same. Your new card will just have added security benefits. Make sure you destroy your old card after receiving your new Priority First FCU EMV debit card.

How is an EMV Chip Card More Secure?

Your EMV Chip Card comes with an encrypted microchip embedded in the card and a traditional magnetic strip. The microchip provides an enhanced layer of security to your transactions when used at chip-enabled ATMs and terminals. The embedded microchip provides unique data specific to your card and the transaction being processed every time you use it at chip-enabled ATMs or terminals. This means you are better protected from financial criminals. EMV Chip Cards are already being used in most countries around the world, resulting in a reduction in card fraud. This improved security is why EMV Chip Cards are coming to the U.S.

Can I use my Card for Everyday Transactions or at Non-Chip Terminals?

Yes! Your EMV Chip Card will also have the usual magnetic strip on the back so you can continue using your card at ATMs and point of sale terminals while merchants in the U.S. are transitioning to new terminals.

How do I use an EMV Chip Card?

Your EMV Chip Card is simple to use:

Step 1: With card front facing up, insert into the terminal until transaction is complete

Step 2: Follow the on-screen instructions

Step 3: You may be required to enter your PIN or sign sales receipt

Step 4: Always remember to remove the card when the transaction is complete

Member Loyalty Program

Doesn’t it make sense that if you are a loyal member who uses multiple products and services that you should be rewarded with discounts? We sure think so! The next time you borrow from your credit union you will find out what your loyalty is worth. Contact a loan officer for additional information or check out our member loyalty page.